Flying device



W. GOODMAN Feb. 16, 1932.

FLYING DEVICE Filed Nov.- 28, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jwoomtoz- Wdlfer 6001171 11,

W. GOODMAN FLYING DEVICE Feb. 16, 1932.

Filed Nov. 28, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmnntot Wa/i 'er 6001777071,

Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLYING DEVICE Application filed Iovember 2a, 1980. Serial No. 498,884.

My invention relates to flying machines and more particularly to a type wherein the wings of the craft are fiapped to effect propulsion, and it consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a craft of light construction which may be readily harnessed to a human being, the wings thereof being operable through movements of the operators arms.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a unique form of wing construction for craft of this order.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of new and novel means for control. of the craft.

Additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from 90 the following description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my craft in fli ht;

igure 2 is a side elevation, illustrating a take-off;

Figure 3 is a side elevation, illustrating the position of the wings and elevator during landing;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the elevator control;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view illustrating the wing mounting.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a frame having a main center rail 10 upon opposite sides of which arms 11 are hingedly mounted, as at 12. Immediately in advance of the arms 11 and rigidly secured to the center rail 10, there are mounted body braces 13, having their forward ends suitably padded as at 14. These braces are adapted to engage the back of the aviator and function to steady the frame 10 upon the body of the flier during operation.

The arms 11 embody a projecting end portion-15, within which there is secured a steel rod 16 and projecting centrally from the portion 15. Arcuate slots 17 are formed in the portion 15, as clearly shown in Figure 5, adapted to receive respective projecting pins 18, rigidly mounted in the ends of the struts 19. Each strut is provided with a bore, receiving the projecting rod 16 of the abutting arm. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the strut 19 may be rocked in a forward and a backward direction, and that the slots 17 limit such forward and backward movements by engagement of the pins 18 at the ends of the slots. It will also be apparent that the arms 11 have an up and down movement, by virtue w of the hinges 12.

Intermediate the length of the struts 19 there is secured a hand bar 20 extending downwardly and has a wheel 21 revolubly mounted upon the end thereof. Hand holds 22 are provided intermediate the length of the' bar 20. i

The struts 19 form the main frame for the wings 23 and comprise a plurality of longitudinally extending rods 24 journaled there- 7 in which form the stems of planes or feathers 25 and 26. The planes 26 which form the outer extremities of the wings 23 in addition to being secured by the rods 24, merge into the outer extremities of the struts 19, and may, at their contacting portions be secured by suitable fastening means. i

. Each of the wings 23 include an inner plane 27 having one edge lying adjacent the center rail 10, the forward end being secured to respective arms 11.

The planes or feathers 25, 26 and 27 preferably embody a body frame of wood, cov ered with aeroplane fabric suitably doped to withstanding the necessary strains and 5 weather conditions. These planes are suitably shaped to form a chamfered underside, and as shown, these feathers are arranged in underlapping relation. Attention is invited to Figure 1, wherein it will be seen that the rods 24 are secured to the feathers 25, and 26 offset slightly from the central medial plane thereof and by this construction, it will be apparent that in upward movement of the wings 23, the feathers 25-26 will be slightly flexed downwardly permitting passage of aircurrents therethrough, but that upon downward movement of the wings, the feathers are closed, preventing passage of air currents.

Control of the craft is effected through foot control levers 28 and 29. The foot levers 2829 are operated from foot rests 3031 pivotally mounted upon a cross bar 32 secured through the rail 10.

The rail 10 terminates at the rear portion in side planes 33, upon which there is pivoted an elevator 34. A bracket 35 is secured to the elevator 34 constituting a connection for a lever 36. The lever 36 is connected at its forward end to a short lever 37 of a bell crank 38. The long lever 39 of the bell crank is pivotally connected to the lever 28.

A rudder 40 is mountedupon the rail 10, as at 41. A link 42 is pivoted upon the rudder 40 by bracket 40, this link extending forwardly and connected to a short arm 43 of a bell crank 44. The lever 29 is'pivotally connected to the long arm 45of the bell crank 44. Y '5 From the foregoing, it will be seen that the elevator 34 and rudder 40 may be independently controlled through rocking movements imparted to respective foot rests 3031.

Upon the underside of the rail, 10 belts 46 and 47 are secured, these belts being employed for strapping the craft to an aviator.

In use of the device, the craft is strapped upon an aviator so that the center rail 10 extends approximately along the backbone of the aviator. The aviator assumes a bent over position as shown in Figure 2, and runs forwardly and begins flapping the wings 23, by imparting an up and down motion to the hand bars 20. The forward motion of the craft and flapping of the wings 23. will raise the craft from the. ground and continued motion of the wings will retain the craft in flight. After the craft has reached a suflicient height the aviator places his feet in resective foot rests 303l, and by manipulating the rests 30-31, the craft may be efiiciently controlled.

In effecting a landing, theaviator gives a forward motion to thehand bars 20, which rotates the struts 19, which motion moves the wings 23, as a unit, into the position shown in Figure 3. The wheels 21 are presented forwardly of the aviator, and effect engagementwith the ground. It should also be noted that the foot rest 30 has been moved so as to tilt the elevator 34- downwardly, thus acting as a brake.

It will be understood, of course, that I do not limit myself to the specific number of planes or feathers shown. The number of such planes will be contingent upon the weight to be lifted, and therefore, a greater or less-er number than that illustrated may be employed. I

I claim:

1. In a flying machine, the combination of frame to be secured to the back of an aviator, of vertically flapping wings having hearings on said frame, hand bars projecting forwardly from said wings, a wheel mounted upon the extremity of said bars, hand holds for said bars whereby said wings may be swung into position for effecting a landing and rudder and elevator wings carried by said frame and independently operated through foot levers.

2. In a flying machine, the. combination of a frame to be secured to the back of an aviator, of vertically flapping wings, means for rotatingsaid wings in a horizontal plane,

,means for limiting such rotation, hand bars projecting from said wings having hand holds, a landing wheel mounted upon the forward ends of said bars, control wings carried by said frame, and foot levers connected to said controlwings for effecting control of saidfiying machine.

3. In a flying machine, the combination of a frame to be secured to the back of an aviator, of vertically flapping wings, said wings comprising a bearing halving arcuate slots, a shaft extended centrally of said bearing, a strut oscillatably mountedupon said bearing, said strut having projecting pins for engagement in said slots and hand bars carried by. said struts, said struts having hand holds whereby said wings may be oscillated to effect movement of said wings to a limited degree.

4. In a flying machine, the combination of a frame to be secured to thebody of an aviator, said frame comprising a center rail, wings hingedly mounted to said frame, means for oscillating said wings, foot rests mounted upon said rail; a rudder, levers connecting said rudder to one of said foot rests; an elevator, levers connecting said elevator to the other of said foot rests, brace means carried by means of said' rail adapted to engage the back of an aviator and manual means for operating said wings, comprising a hand bar having a landing wheel at the outer extremity thereof.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WALTER GOODMAN. 

